Hublot has unveiled a new, very unique timepiece in collaboration with Daniel Arsham, a contemporary artist from New York, USA who is active in sculpture, painting, film, and fashion. Named the Arsham Droplet, the timepiece can be transformed into three forms: pocket watch, pendant necklace, and table clock, and as the name suggests, it stands out for its ergonomic design inspired by ‘droplet’.
Regarding this, Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe said: “With Daniel, replica Hublot has made the impossible possible! The Arsham Droplet is a testament to Hublot’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of form and function. It is an innovative timepiece that is a true work of art. The Arsham Droplet is the result of a perfect combination of the watchmaking skills of Daniel Arsham and his pioneering artistic vision. It is an attractive work of art that can be styled in three different ways: as a pocket watch, as a pendant, and as a table clock.”
The asymmetrical round drop case is made of polished microblasted titanium. Although it is somewhat large, it is made in a size that fits in the palm of an adult male’s hand – 73.2mm (length) x 52.6mm (width) x 22.5mm (thickness) – and the side of the case is lined with green colored rubber to act as a kind of cushion or bumper. It is called ‘Arsham Green’ because it is the color that symbolizes artist Daniel Arsham, but on the other hand, it is reminiscent of the signature blue color of Tiffany, another brand of the LVMH Group with which Arsham recently collaborated. Rubber also has a symbolic meaning as it has been an inseparable material from Hublot since its founding.
Two teardrop-shaped sapphire crystals organically stacked on the front and back of the case expose the openwork movement and bridge decoration. Manufacturing sapphire crystals of unique shapes also requires considerable know-how. The case is protected by a double sealing system consisting of 17 O-ring seals and secured with 6 H-type titanium screws with a polished and microblasted finish. This supports 30m water resistance.
Hublot’s patented double “one-click” system is applied to the bottom of the titanium case body, allowing you to easily attach and detach two titanium chains. By adjusting the length of the chain, you can use it as a pocket replica watches or necklace. The shape of the large and small links in the titanium chain is also unusual, taking on a teardrop shape. Additionally, it can be used as a table clock by attaching the case to a titanium stand with two mineral glass magnifying glasses.
The movement is equipped with the in-house manual caliber HUB1201, the engine used in the Big Bang Mecha-10 series. It is equipped with an indicator that displays a 10-day long power reserve overtime, and the unique linear gear train structure connected to the barrel adds to the fun of viewing. Most of the openwork plate and bridges are coated with gray PVD, and Asham Green color is applied to the hands and indexes along with Superluminova to give a highlight.
Hublot’s Arsham Droplet (Ref. 916.NX.5202.NK), a true collector’s item that reinterprets the traditional pocket watch design into a modern art piece, is a limited edition of only 99 pieces, and the retail price is 80,000 Swiss. It was set at 139.39 million won in francs (CHF) and Korean won.
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